Privacy and Cookie Policy
How MBPA collects, uses and protects personal information
This policy applies to the public website, membership application process, member portal, certificate verification and electronic communications.
Effective date: 22 July 2026
The Malawi Bee Products Association (MBPA) respects the privacy of members, applicants, website visitors, event participants, partners and other stakeholders. This policy explains the categories of information handled through the website and the safeguards applied to that information.
1. Information we may collect
MBPA may collect information that you submit directly, including your name, organisation, contact details, address, membership category, occupation, identification details, uploaded identification photograph, payment evidence, enquiry information, newsletter preferences and portal communications.
The website may also record technical information required for operation and security, including IP address, browser type, login activity, certificate-verification activity, timestamps, session identifiers and basic error or audit records.
2. How information is used
Information may be used to process and review membership applications, verify payments, maintain membership records, issue and verify certificates, manage renewals, provide portal services, respond to enquiries, deliver requested communications, administer events and resources, improve services, prevent misuse and comply with lawful obligations.
3. Membership records and public verification
Approved certificates contain a membership number, member name, membership category, validity period and a QR-linked verification reference. The public verification page confirms whether a certificate is authentic and active. Sensitive application documents and payment evidence are not intended for public display.
4. Information sharing
MBPA does not sell personal information. Information may be shared with authorised service providers where necessary to operate hosting, email, payment confirmation, training or other approved services; with regulators or authorities where legally required; or with other parties where you have authorised the disclosure.
5. Data security
Reasonable administrative and technical safeguards are used, including access controls, authentication, encrypted web connections where configured, validation of submitted information, protected storage paths, backups and activity records. No electronic system can be guaranteed to be completely secure, and users should protect their passwords and notify MBPA of suspected unauthorised access.
6. Retention
Information is retained for as long as reasonably necessary for membership administration, financial accountability, governance, legal compliance, service delivery, dispute resolution, archival requirements and legitimate organisational operations. Records may be deleted, anonymised or archived when no longer required.
7. Cookies and similar technologies
Essential cookies are used to maintain secure sessions, protect forms, remember login state and operate administration or member-portal functions. These cookies are required for parts of the website to work correctly.
Optional cookies may be introduced for analytics or service improvement. On a first visit, the website presents a cookie choice allowing visitors to accept or reject optional cookies. The choice is stored in the browser and may be changed using the Cookie Preferences button in the website footer.
8. External websites
The website may link to government institutions, partners, standards bodies, research organisations, social networks or other external services. MBPA is not responsible for the privacy practices, availability or content of external websites.
9. Your choices and requests
You may request correction of inaccurate personal information, ask about information held by MBPA, update communication preferences or raise a privacy concern. Requests may require identity verification before changes are made.
10. Policy updates
This policy may be revised to reflect changes in services, technology, law or organisational practice. The current version will be published on this page with an updated effective date.
11. Contact MBPA
Privacy questions and information requests may be submitted to:
Malawi Bee Products Association
Area 47, Sector 2, Chigoneka Market, P.O. Box 2716, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Email: info@malawibeeproductsassociation.org